93rd Vinland Fair to begin Aug. 10

One of the oldest fairs in Kansas, the Vinland Fair, will open for the 93rd time on Thursday, Aug. 10, with a three-day schedule of homespun fun.

Exhibits, contests for all ages, live band music each evening, an antique tractor pull and homemade food will highlight this year's fair. The fairgrounds are located about five miles north of Baldwin, north of Vinland school.

No carnivals or commercial exhibits are included, just community-based and community-operated events.

Each evening's program is packed with several events to appeal to all ages. Thursday evening's attractions begin with the 6:30 p.m. talent show on the stage, followed by the Lonesome Hoboes at approximately 8 p.m. Both the rabbit and the poultry shows open in the livestock barn at 7 p.m.

The Friday evening attractions are the antique tractor pull at 7 p.m. and an 8 p.m. performance by Witness Band. Tractors are expected from Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.

Saturday night's activities begin at 5 p.m. with the lawn and garden tractor driving skills competition for all ages. Judging in the homemade ice cream making contest will be completed about 7 p.m. followed by serving the ice cream to the public. While the spectators are enjoying the ice cream, the Shyster Mountain Gang Band will perform at 8 p.m.

Exhibits in all departments except livestock will be received from 2-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, judged Friday morning and displayed until released at 4 p.m. Saturday. The farm products, canning, baking, sewing and crafts, flowers, the 4-H and junior departments are all housed in the exhibit building. Also displayed in the building is the antique and special quilt show. Outside the front door of the building is the scarecrow display.

Beef and dairy animals, sheep, swine and goats in the open and 4-H classes are to be placed in the livestock barn by 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, with judging to begin at 1 p.m.

A full daytime schedule for the three-day affair begins with an all-day antique engine show on Thursday and an old-time farm skills competition, including nail-driving and hand saw contests, for all ages.

Friday's daytime schedule features the stock bicycle races at 9 a.m. and the popular competitions, sack races and tug-of-war, at noon. The antique tractor weigh-in starts at 3 p.m.

Saturday's events are the 9 a.m. horseshoe pitching competition, the box turtle races and the pet parade on the stage at 11 a.m. The pedal tractor pull begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Volunteers operate all of the departments and events. The food and concession stands also are managed and operated by volunteers and proceeds from the stands benefit the fair. On Thursday, the Kansas Grassroots Art Association menu features a spaghetti and meatball dinner. Community volunteers and the Vinland F.C.E. menu features on Friday are homemade chicken and noodle dinners and on Saturday, pan-fried chicken dinners. Traditionally featured at the concession stand are homemade fruit pies.